Gauge questions

[kevins2]

Working through the details of my 427SC on order. ERA standard gauge package is Stewart Warner. Smith Gauges are $600 option. There are threads indicating quality/reliability problems with both, but particularly Smith gauges. Problem is, most of the threads are 3 years old or older. Does anyone have any thoughts to share on current gauge issues? Are the Smith's worth the extra money (for reasons other than authenticity, or is that it)?

Thanks,

Kevin

[LMH]

I think Smiths are worth the expense for authenticity and better value for resale. Quality issues... there may be but I've had issues with other brands as well. If it were me, is spend the money.
Larry

[kgs365]

the smith guages give you a reverse speedo....i've heard nothing but problems with this reverse speedo setup (owners all had TKO trans)...which is why i just went with the stewart warner and put the money elsewhere in the build. if you haven't already...go for a ride in an ERA (i did prior to the build ) and you will find out things that "are nice to have" ..."must have" etc...items like windwings, visors etc..are must haves ...reverse speedo that is prone to breaking ...not so much.....just my opinion...options like guages didn't add to the drivability...if on a budget i would rather put it toward the outboard rear end...etc...you can get carried away with different knobs, badges etc..

[xracerbob]

So far my Smiths gauges have been great. I think they have made some improvement in quality and the support from Nisonger is excellent. I have the normal rotation speedo btw.

[xb-60]

x2 on the Nisonger comment. Peter Bayer is very good to deal with. They do specials occasionally too.
Mine are still in the boxes ('cos I don't have a car to put them in yet) but even in the boxes, they look well and truly worth the extra.
Cheers,
Glen

[LMH]

I think Smiths are worth the expense for authenticity and better value for resale. Quality issues... there may be but I've had issues with other brands as well. If it were me, is spend the money.
Larry

[ERA 778]

I went with the Smiths gauges for authenticity, but so far I haven't had any problems with quality or their performance. I did upgrade the backlighting using LED lights based on an article here on ClubCobra before I installed them, so I can't say how well you can see the unaltered Smiths gauges at night. (I recommend the upgrade, by the way.)

I also opted for the reverse speedometer and so far have had no problems with it. I suspect that the problem everyone mentions with these has to do with the reversing adapter required if you're using anything other than a Richmond Gear transmission since the reverser must be mounted at the speedo (I think). This puts an unnatural load on the speedo cable, etc. For the RG trans the reverser is down at the transmission.

You do not have to go with the reverse speedo. Smiths offers both types.

I too can vouch for the support you can get from Nysonger. They're easy to deal with and very helpful.

[xb-60]

Nisonger are definitely the people to deal with for Smiths gauges.
The manufacturer is a company called Caerbont Automotive instruments, in Wales, UK. They can be very helpful for information as well.
See Cobra for more gauge pictures.
Cheers,
Glen

[kevins2]

Hi Hal,

I searched for the LED upgrade you mentioned by all the obvious keywords but only found a mini-lamp (incandescent) upgrade. Can you steer me to that article?

Thanks,

Kevin

[mickmate]

Some of the Smiths gauges are now electronic which helps accuracy and reliabilty. You can't beat the look of course. Smiths speedometers are also available in street form which is the clockwise 160 mph. Problems with them are the wrong wind on the cable or reverser rather than the gauge. I use and like Smiths and get all my instruments senders etc from Nisonger.

[DanEC]

FYI - From my experience, if you want the reverse rotation (180 mph) Smith speedo in you ERA you will need to specify it. Peter considers them trouble prone so he normally provides the standard rotation (160 mph) Smith speedo. Apparently some care and shimming is necessary when installing the reverse run adaptor to the speedometer to avoid binding or something. I haven't set mine up yet but they sent some washers with it to do so.

EDIT - I should have noted this was on my "Street" replica. ERA may provide the reverse speedo on the SC cars without a specific request.

[ERA 778]

The gauge modification is described in this thread:
Smith’s Gauges Lighting Upgrade:

The guy who did it gets a modest ($5?) fee for all of his work. He sends you a very detailed document full of photos, etc. Very well done and worth the price.

Hal

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

I used the standard SW guages and they perform fine, with the exception of a 'sometimes' noisy speedo. Not often, but after driving for an hour or so it may act up, but otherwise works fine.

[Flygirl]

Dang, I really like the reverse winding speedo.

[xb-60]

If you go to the Nisonger website, there are reverse winding Smiths speedos as mechanical items and also as electronic, so if there are perceived worries about reliability, you have a choice. Both are 180mph full scale. The electronic version is programmable, so will be accurate. Looks good, but not quite as good/authentic as the mechanical version (IMO).
My understanding is that 427 S/C dashboards only had Smiths gauges fitted (with the exception of the ammeter which was a Lucas), and the speedo was a reverse sweep Smiths, 180mph.
On Street 427 dashboards, I think both Smiths and SW were used, but not 100% sure.
Cheers,
Glen

[RAO-3]

I also have Smith's gauges. I did have a problem with the reverser, which Peter kindly replaced for me. I found that the reverser would bind up when I drove the car for a bit. as it would heat up. Using some shims on the replacement, I was able to loosen it up enough to prevent the it from happening again. I would still go with the Smith's and the reverse speedometer if I did it again.

Ray

[fjrgary]

it's my understanding that sw also has a reverse reading spedo, does anyone have any input on this? thanks gary.